Needle and thread holder

ABSTRACT

A needle and thread holder for odd lengths of thread, left in a needle after a sewing operation. The holder comprises a flat base to which is connected a platelike member closely held to the base by at least two and preferably three points of connection located interiorly of the periphery of the platelike member. The thread is adapted to be wound around the points of connection and the needle is inserted between the points of connection radially into the center of the assemblage between the platelike member and the base and held therein by friction. In preferred form, the base is in the form of a disc and the platelike member is formed of a similar disc of smaller diameter and concentric with the base. Such platelike members may be secured to both the front and rear of the base to hold multiple needle and thread assemblies. An enlarged throat between the periphery of the platelike member and the base may be provided for ease in winding the thread around the points of connection and for insertion of the needle.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Socrates J. Schantz Marine, ill. 121]App]. No. 27,816 [22] Filed Apr. 13, 1970 I45] Patented Sept. 7, 1971[73] Assignees John S. Schantz;

Raymond G. Schantz Marine, lll. part interest to each [54] NEEDLE ANDTHREAD HOLDER 12 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.C1 223/109 R, 206/633, 206/64 [51] lnt.Cl A41h 31/00 [50] Fieldof Search 223/109 R, 109 A, 106, 108; 206/52 W, 59 A, 63.3, 64

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 417,922 12/1889 King 223/109R 2,422,870 6/1947 Willis 206/59 A 3,112,825 12/1963 Hammond et a1.Zoo/63.3

Primary Examiner.lordan Franklin Assistant Examiner-George H.Krizmaanich ArmmeyKingsland, Rogers, Ezell, Eilers & Robbins ABSTRACT: Aneedle and thread holder for odd lengths of thread, left in a needleafter a sewing operation. The holder comprises a flat base to which isconnected a platelike member closely held to the base by at least twoand preferably three points of connection located interiorly of theperiphery of the platelike member. The thread is adapted to be woundaround the points of connection and the needle is inserted between thepoints of connection radially into the center of the assemblage betweenthe platelike: member and the base and held therein by friction. inpreferred form, the base is in the fonn of a disc and the platelikemember is formed of a similar disc of smaller diameter and concentricwith the base. Such platelike members may be secured to both the frontand rear of the base to hold multiple needle and thread assemblies. Anenlarged throat between the periphery of the platelike member and thebase may be provided for ease in winding the thread around the points ofconnection and for insertion of the needle.

NEIEIDILIE AND THREAD HOLDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past,various types of cardboard holders and the like have been provided toreceive needles having odd lengths of thread left after a sewingoperation. Such cardboard folders through repeated operations arepierced by the needle and easily tangled with thread and worn out. Bymeans of the instant invention, there has been provided a simple needleand thread holder which can be used repeatedly for simple winding of thethread around the points of connection and insertion of the needle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The needle and thread holder of this inventionis simply formed of a plastic or similar type of material in the form ofa base to which is connected a platelike member at least two andpreferably three or more points of connection located interiorly of theplatelike member. The thread attached to the needle is wound between thebase and the platelike member around the points of connection and theneedle is simply inserted radially between the platelike member and thebase. The platelike member and the base are held together by the pointsof connection in such a manner that the platelike member closely engagesthe base to provide for frictional engagement or a clamping action ofthe thread and the needle when inserted.

In the preferred form, the base is formed of a simple plastic disc andthe platelike member of similar construction but smaller diameter isconnected to it by rivets or other conventional means such as cementingor welding at two and preferably three or more points of connectionlocated interiorly of the periphery of the platelike member. Suchplatelilte members may be secured to both the front and rear of the baseto hold multiple needle and thread assemblies. In a modified form, abase may be used with several platelike members attached to a face ofthe base for connecting and holding of two or more assemblages of needleand thread side by side. Additional platelike members may be secured tothe rear of the base for additional capacity. The needle and threadholder may be further provided with an enlarged throat at the peripheryof the platelilce member which may be formed by converging surfaces ofthe base and the platelike member to guide the thread and needle betweenthe base and the platelike member for ready winding of the thread andinsertion of the needle.

The needle and thread holder is simply constructed of inexpensivematerials and is rugged and easy to use by the unskilled without anytraining required.

The above features are objects of this invention and further objectswill appear in the detailed description which follows and will beotherwise apparent to those skilled in the art.

For the purpose of illustration of this invention, in the ac companyingdrawings, a preferred embodiment and modifications thereof is shown. Itis to be understood that these drawings are for the purpose ofillustration only and that the invention is not limited thereto.

In the drawings:

FIG. ii is a top plan view of the preferred needle and thread holder, itbeing understood that the bottom view is identical;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in section taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a plan view taken similarly to FIG. II with a needle andthread shown wound around the points of connection;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view in horizontal section through the pointsof connection showing the base with the platelike member in dotted linesand showing the manner of winding the thread and insertion of theneedle;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in vertical section showing a modified formof the needle and thread holder having an enlarged threat at theperiphery at the plateiike member for ready insertion of the needle andthread;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view showing a further modified form ofneedle and thread holder in which a plurality of platelikc members arefixed to a base member to provide for reception of a plurality of needleand thread assemblies; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view in section taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The needle and thread holder is generallyidentified by the reference number It) in FIGS. I through 4. As thereshown, it includes a flat base member I2 in the form of a circularplastic disc. Connected to the top and bottom of the base are platelikemembers l4 and 15 which are of a smaller diameter than the base 12leaving an exposed marginal portion In. The platelike members 114 and115 are shown connected to the base and each other by three rivets I8which are located interiorly of the periphery of the platelike member114 to provide a space for winding of the thread. It will be understoodthat instead of rivets any other suitable means of connection such aswelding, cementing, or the like can be employed. Two points ofconnection can be employed, although preferably three or more areutilized for ease in winding and more efficient clamping or affixationof the plate to the base.

A modified form of the needle and thread holder is generally identifiedby the reference numeral 20 in FIG. 5. In this form, the base I2 has abeveled-edge portion 22 and similarly the platelike member M has abeveled peripheral portion 24. The beveled portions aforementioneddefine a converging throat 26 for ready insertion of the thread in thewinding operation and the needle in the storing of the needle.

A further modification is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and generallyidentified by the reference numeral 30. In this form, the base isidentified by the reference numeral 32 and is in elongated strip form.The base receives as shown, two or more of the platelike members 114which are connected to the base in the same manner as described inconnection with FIGS. I through 4. In this modification, two or moreseparate assemblies of needle and thread can be secured to the base andlimitation is only provided in the number of the platelike members thatare secured to the base.

USE

The use of the needle and thread holder of this invention is best shownby referring to FIGS. 3 and d. The needle 40 with the attached length ofthread d2 is simply secured to the holder by winding the free end of thethread around the points of connection llh as shown in FIG. 3. When thethread has been wound to the point where the attachment to the needleapproaches, the point of the needle is simply inserted between theperiphery of the platelilre member 14 and the base and inserted into thecenter of the holder as shown in FIG. 3. Attachment of a second needleand thread assembly around the platelike member 15 is accomplished in asimilar manner. The close engagement of the platelike member with thebase holds the thread and the needle securely in the holder by africtional clamping action.

When it is desired to use the needle with the length of thread attachedto it, the head of the needle as shown in FIG. 3 is simply grasped atthe marginal portion of the base and the thread is unwound and theneedle and thread assemblage is then ready for use. It will be notedthat the marginal portion to between the periphery of the platelilremember and the base provides for ready grasping of the head of theneedle.

In the modification of FIG. 5, the open throat 26 provides for readyguiding of the thread between the platelike member and the base. It,likewise, serves for ready insertion of the point of the needle betweenthe platelike member and the base. The modification of FIG. 6 is simplyemployed for a multiplicity of needie and thread assemblage so thatvarious lengths of thread or different sizes of needles and differentcolors of thread can be readily located and stored.

Various changes and modifications of this invention will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art and are included within the scopeof this invention. Such changes and modifications are intended to bewithin the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

l. The needle and thread holder comprising a flat base and a platelikemember secured to said base in close engagement therewith by at leasttwo spaced points of connection located interiorly of the periphery ofsaid platelike member, said base and platelike member receiving threadwrapped around the points of connection between said base and member anda needle attached to said thread inserted radially between the base andthe member, said thread and needle being releasably engaged between thebase and the member.

2. The needle and thread holder of claim 1 in which platelike membersare connected in registry to the front and rear of said base using thesame points of connection.

3. The needle and thread holder of claim 1 in which the inner peripheralsurface of the platelike member is beveled forming with the base an openthroat readily receiving the needle and thread and the thread and needleare bias engaged.

4. The needle and thread holder of claim 1 in which the platelike memberis connected to the base by at least three substantially equally spacedpoints of connection.

5. The needle and thread holder of claim 1 in which the base is circularin form and the platelike member is likewise circular and formedconcentrically with the base, said platelike member having a lesserdiameter than the base whereby the head of the inserted needle is leftexposed for ready handling.

6. The needle and thread holder of claim 5 in which platelike membersare connected in registry to the front and rear of said base using thesame points of connection.

7. The needle and thread holder of claim 1 in which the base contains aplurality of spaced platelike members receiving separately a pluralityof needle and thread assemblies.

8. The needle and thread holder of claim 3 in which the base is circularin form and the platelike member is likewise circular and formedconcentrically with the base, said platelike member having a lesserdiameter than the base whereby the head of the inserted needle is leftexposed for ready handling.

9. The needle and thread holder of claim 4 in which the base is circularin form and the platelike member is likewise circular and formedconcentrically with the base, said platelike member having a lesserdiameter than the base whereby the head of the inserted needle is leftexposed for ready handling.

10. The needle and thread holder of claim 3 in which the platelikemember closely engages said base by at least three substantially equallyspaced points of connection and the base is circular in form and theplatelike member is likewise circular and formed concentrically with thebase, said platelike member having a lesser diameter than the basewhereby the head of the inserted needle is left exposed for readyhandling.

11. The needle and thread holder of claim 7 in which the platelikemember has at least three substantially equally spaced points ofconnection to the base.

12. The needle and thread holder of claim 7 in which the periphery innerperipheral surface of the platelike member is beveled forming with thebase an open throat readily receiving the needle and thread and theinterior of the platelike member closely engages said base to biasengage the needle and thread in retaining relation.

1. The needle and thread holder comprising a flat base and a platelikemember secured to said base in close engagement therewith by at leasttwo spaced points of connection located interiorly of the periphery ofsaid platelike member, said base and platelike member receiving threadwrapped around the points of connection between said base and member anda needle attached to said thread inserted radially between the base andthe member, said thread and needle being releasably engaged between thebase and the member.
 2. The needle and thread holder of claim 1 in whichplatelike members are connected in registry to the front and rear ofsaid base using the same points of connection.
 3. The needle and threadholder of claim 1 in which the inner peripheral surface of the platelikemember is beveled forming with the base an open throat readily receivingthe needle and thread and the thread and needle are bias engaged.
 4. Theneedle and thread holder of claim 1 in which the platelike member isconnected to the base by at least three substantially equally spacedpoints of connection.
 5. The needle and thread holder of claim 1 inwhich the base is circular in form and the platelike member is likewisecircular and formed concentrically with the base, said platelike memberhaving a lesser diameter than the base whereby the head of the insertedneedle is left exposed for ready handling.
 6. The needle and threadholder of claim 5 in which platelike members are connected in registryto the front and rear of said base using the same points of connection.7. The needle and thread holder of claim 1 in which the base contains aplurality of spaced platelike members receiving separately a pluralityof needle and thread assemblies.
 8. The needle and thread holder ofclaim 3 in which the base is circular in form and the platelike memberis likewise circular and formed concentrically with the base, saidplatelike member having a lesser diameter than the base whereby the headof the inserted needle is left exposed for ready handling.
 9. The needleand thread holder of claim 4 in which the base is circular in form andthe platelike member is likewise circular and formed concentrically withthe base, said platelike member having a lesser diameter than the basewhereby the head of the inserted needle is left exposed foR readyhandling.
 10. The needle and thread holder of claim 3 in which theplatelike member closely engages said base by at least threesubstantially equally spaced points of connection and the base iscircular in form and the platelike member is likewise circular andformed concentrically with the base, said platelike member having alesser diameter than the base whereby the head of the inserted needle isleft exposed for ready handling.
 11. The needle and thread holder ofclaim 7 in which the platelike member has at least three substantiallyequally spaced points of connection to the base.
 12. The needle andthread holder of claim 7 in which the periphery inner peripheral surfaceof the platelike member is beveled forming with the base an open throatreadily receiving the needle and thread and the interior of theplatelike member closely engages said base to bias engage the needle andthread in retaining relation.